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Compared to Bulgaria, where you live, it's more expensive.

So it's misleading advertising...

@JimJ Living in Portugal (not that far from Lisbon) for almost 10 years I would say that the value for money has changed very much. I also like Numbeo for cost of living analysis. However, for good results one has to put some work into it and tune it according to your spending habits and your current location and then compare to a different location.

Real Estate costs (buy and rent) have skyrocketed in the areas interesting for expats and the restaurant prices have gone up lately as well. Portugal is actively attracting immigrants and tourists and the related industries are trying to make the most of it.

For us, owning a fantastic apartment in a beautiful area for a long time and not going out very often, life is still very affordable compared to most places in Western Europe.

  @JimJ

Hello Jim,

My wife and I have been living in Caldas da Rainha for almost 2 years.  First, I want to say everything is relative.  Relative to where you were or are living in the US and also relative to what part of Portugal you are comparing things to.  Lisbon, Porto   and the Algar in the South of Portugal are the most expensive parts of Portugal.  Our personal expenses are costing us about 50% of what they were in Tampa, Florida (or less).  An example:  Yesterday we went shopping for groceries.  We have 3 family members who just arrived for a 15 day stay with us.  We first went to the Farmer's Market where we bought lots of fruit and vegies.  I ask my wife what all of it would cost us in Tampa.  She said approimately $50 to $55.  The While we actual total was $18.84.  We then went to our favorite grocery store where we bought so much that we filled 2 carts (3 bottles of wine, lots of various types of meat, several types of seafood, snacks, breads, and so much more).  While we were putting everything in our car, I ask my wife how much we had just spent (she had not seen me paying and didn't know exactly what we spent).  Her answer was $200 to $225 and would have been over $300 in Tampa.  The actual figure was $143.20. 

OK, so everything is not 50% less here than in Tampa bot in realty we find most things are.  Car prices about 20% more here and gas prices are also higher.  Good quality furniture is more expense here (we shipped our car and all our household items from Tampa).  We bought a brand new 4 bedroom/3 bathroom condo here in January, 2023 at a cost $240,000.  I know it would have cost us at lease $380K to $400K in most parts of Tampa. 

Again, everything I have quoted above would have cost much more in Lisbon, Porto and the Algar.  We chose Caldas da Rainha because it is not on the water BUT is a mere 12 minutes to wonderful beaches. 

I suggest you do a lot of research of your own before making any decision.             

@JimJ Where would you be moving from?

@JimJ sorry, I didn't see that you were from Bulgaria.

Here's an overview of the cost of living for 2024, some facts and figures

Thanks for all the replies; as I suspected, Bulgaria is still the cheapest place to live in the EU - especially when it comes to buying property, unless you want to buy a house/apartment in one of the swanky parts of Sofia.

I guess it all depends on your income and your lifestyle. The UK is getting expensive, but my 83 year old dad doesn't go to the pub or smoke, but he gives food to the food banks and goes out twice a week to a restaurant. His council tax is £2,503.15, he changes his car every 3 year for a new one. He lives very comfortable, ok his electicty is free as he installed solar panels. He also has a gardener and a cleaner.

@SimCityAT

Sounds as though he could afford to live comfortably pretty much anywhere!

@maxwmitchell1997 Hi Max, I live in Clearwater/Tampa and will move to the Lourinha/Obidos area. How can I contact you to share your experience regarding moving company and your car import?

Hans43